Uh oh...advice, please??

[raleysmom]

A couple of months ago an acquaintance of mine asked if I would dog sit her dachsund....and I did because she was in a tight.  Well, I never intended to do it again.  The problem is, I couldn't say no and so the dog is here again...for 6 days!!!  I have declined play date after play date with this lady that I thought she would get the hint.  For what reason could I not just politely tell her NO that I couldn't dog sit??  I seriously cannot do this again.  This dog is 8 months old and bigger than Raley and our rat terrier, Savannah.  She is also hyper. She hasn't had any obedience training so I always spend my time trying to train her.  Then I got blamed for using treats to train her.   It just isn't a great fit...  Advice, anyone?

[Pinky]

Eeek that's rough. I know how hard it is to say no. Not the honest way to go about it, lol, but maybe just make up an excuse that she can't dispute? Such as you don't have the time to take on an extra dog, she doesn't get along with Raley, your dogs act out when she's there. My friend had to dog sit her uncle's dog for months and one of her dogs got soooo depressed while the other dog was there. Like wouldn't play, wouldn't eat much, he just hated this dog lol. Maybe try saying something like that so she won't keep asking you to do it.

[mandy15]

That is a rough one. I'm not good at saying no either. Maybe it she does it again make up a good lie saying you can't. I know what you mean about getting depressed. When we had Bogie and Rudy over a couple of weeks ago Angel was ready for them to leave by that evening. I couldn't imagine them staying a long time. Angel couldn't take it.

[Michele]

This is definately a rough one.. but I would be honest and just say three dogs is too much for you and your own furbabies.. they act out.. your house becomes more unmanageable and it gets you exhausted..

[Mai Tai]

Sounds like you are like me, a people pleaser.  We find it hard to say no because then we think people won't like us. Even if we don't like the person we are trying to please, we still want them to like us.  It is bizarre but true, and if you can get over it ( I haven't yet, but am trying) you will be much happier.  Just say "no, sorry, I can't do it."  Don't offer any excuses or reasons.  Think about it, how many times have people told you no without explaining themselves, and it has not bothered you?  Why do we feel the need to explain ourselves to everyone?  Just try it next time.  In the meantime, good luck this time and don't do it again...LOL.

[ellietoo]

Well, it sounds like you do not like to watch the dog. So next time she asks tell her the reasons why you don't like to watch the dog. It's too much time and trouble. You already have the two dogs and that is about all you can handle right now. You don't have to go into all the details but just let her know it is stressing you out to have the responsibility of someone else's dog there. If something ever happened to the dog while it was in your care I'm sure she would never forgive you and you would feel terrible yourself. I'm sure she could find a reputable boarding kennel. I'm sure it is cheaper for her to leave the dog with you but she needs to do the responsible thing and board her dog or take it with her. I know it is hard to say no and she may not take it well but it is not fair to you or your family of dogs and people to keep doing this.

[teddybear]

It makes you wish you weren't such a nice person...  . Just say the dog doesn't play so wll with your dogs, and you can't handle another dog added on top of what you already have.

[raleysmom]

Thank you all for the advice.  I am really going nuts because this dog has a sensitive stomach and if she finds a crumb anywhere she gets diarrhea.  I feed her in her crate and try and feed Raley and Savannah while she is crated.  If I don't pick up their food bowls before I let her out she eats their food.  She has even found a way to get in the cat food.  I think I am going to tell this person that her pup and our cat do not get along.  That will be understandable...or should be.  In the past 48 hours this pup has peed and pooped everywhere. She peed all over some electrical cords, pooped wherever she gets the urge...and having diarrhea is really a pain in the rear.   She is supposedly housetrained but so far has no interest in doing her business outside at our house.  Despite my aggravation she is a sweet pup but definitely has several issues.  I hope I survive until Friday.

[raleysmom]

I might also add that this lady told me to feed her pup 1 1/2 cups of kibble twice a day.  Well, I read on the food that she should only be eating 1 cup per day....so this pup is being fed 3 times the recommended amount for her weight.  UGH.

[Mai Tai]

No wonder she had diarrhea, she is being overfed. Again, you are like me.  WHy do you need to tell her the cat does not get along with the dog?  Just tell her that her dog peed and pooped all over your house.  I was the same way when I watched my friends dogs.  I did not want to let her know the destruction they wreaked upon my house because I did not want her to feel bad.  That is a little nuts.  Why are we such people pleasers? LOL. 

[ellietoo]

My gosh! The dog is destroying your house! Tell her the truth! This is a nightmare for you to have to deal with! The diet issues are enough not to mention the messing in your house! That is going to encourage your dogs to mess inside also! You don't need to lie! You have more than enough of the truth to tell her. I thought is was just that is was more responsibility. This dog is a menace. Why should you have to deal with her problem?

[raleysmom]

I am sure I will tell her about everything that happened.  This lady really does not have all her marbles.  When she dropped the pup off she said, "oh, I love your new front door"...I replied, "its not new"....she replied, "are you sure"  Um no, I'm not sure but I am positive that I live here and its not new!  Geez.

[Mai Tai]

raley, we should have lunch sometime.  Sounds like we attract the same kind of people.  Hope you get through this with that dog, and NEVER have to do it again. 

[raleysmom]

I hope I survive until Friday evening.  My husband thinks the pup is sweet--and she is but oh boy is she BAD, too.  I think she needs more training but it's not coming from me cause I never want to keep her again.  I think Raley and Macy (our cat) will be relieved when she walks out the door.  Raley has all of a sudden decided he likes hiding under our bed.  He will be 2 years old next month and never hid before.  I seriously think Roxie, the pup, needs more attention from her human.  She craves attention from us but I am too busy cleaning up after her and the cat to want to cuddle or play with her.  I am very sorry for ranting but this is really too much for me to handle.  Thank you all for listening!! 

[Mai Tai]

Never worry about venting here.  We know how hard it can be.  I took care of my friend's two dogs over the summer, and though I loved them, it was so hard.  One of them peed in the house at least 3 or 4 times a day and pooped in the house twice a day.  They also chased my cats and taught my dogs to do the same.  I was sad to see them go though, because they were so sweet, but I was relieved at the same time.  Hope you last until Friday night.  Vent whenever you need to.